Psalms 146

Psalms 146:1-10

the Lord Loveth the Righteous Psalms 146:1-10 This and the four following psalms are the “ Hallelujah” Psalms. Each begins with that word. They were probably composed for use in the second Temple. In the Septuagint this psalm is ascribed to Zechariah and Haggai. The key to it is Psalms 146:5, which is the last of the twenty-six “ Blesseds” in the Psalter. What can bring more blessedness into life than the recognition of Jehovah as Help and Hope?Psalms 146:6-10 emphasizes the present tense in a way which reminds us of the words of our Lord: “ My Father worketh hitherto.” It is true that with the oppressed and the prisoners in iron circumstance, the blind and the bowed-down, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widowed, the promises appear unfulfilled. This, however, is probably due to the failure of God’ s Church and of themselves to realize that the Kingdom has been set up in the unseen sphere, but that we need to appropriate its deliverances by faith. “ They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign.” But all God’ s promises, like the great promise of salvation, are contingent on the exercise of faith.

While I live will I praiseIn the Septuagint this Psalm is ascribed to Haggai and Zechariah. If they were not the actual authors, these Psalms were probably composed during their times. The term “Hallelujah” (Praise Jah!) Is not characteristic of the Psalms which date from the times of David.

Psalms 146:2. While I live will I praise the Lord Our being is to run parallel with God’s forever. But we shall never come to an end of his fulness. So new discoveries will ever incite to new songs.

Psalms 146:3. Put not your trust in princes This was quoted by the Earl of Stratford, on hearing that, in spite of his royal and solemn pledge, Charles I. Had given assent to the Bill of Attainder. The son of man in this passage cannot refer to the Lord Jesus, for none would dare to apply to Him the succeeding words: “in whom is no help.” The Hebrew is distinct: Confide ye not in a son of man (see Jeremiah 17:5; John 2:25). The Prayer-book version has: “nor in any child of man.”

Psalms 146:4. Thoughts–i.e., “purposes” (R.V. marg.) At the moment of death the most definite projects of human life are at an end (Luke 12:16-20).

Psalms 146:5. The God of Jacob Jehovah is thus spoken of twenty-one times in the Old Testament, and six times in the New Testament. If God helped Jacob, He will help the least and meanest of us. The reasons for this happiness, appear in the following enumeration.

Psalms 146:6. Who made heaven, and earth, the sea, etc. Nearly twenty times the creative work of God is thus referred to in the Bible. Even if we believe not yet He abideth faithful. Who keepeth truth. He is true to his promises and covenant-engagements.

Psalms 146:7. Who executeth judgment for the oppressed We need not avenge ourselves. God will vindicate us (Psalms 103:6; Romans 12:19; 1 Peter 2:23).Psalms 146:7-9. The Lord looseth the prisoners These verses are an epitome of the mission of the Comforter (Psalms 68:5-6; Psalms 107:10; Psalms 107:14; Isaiah 35:5; Isaiah 61:3).

Psalms 146:8. The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind What a true portraiture is this of the ministry of Christ through the ages (Luke 4:18; see also John 9:1-33). Mark these present tenses! This is his unceasing work. Victor Immanuel–Emancipator!

Psalms 146:9. The Lord preserveth: He relieveth There are traces of this in all the old Hebrew legislation (Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Deuteronomy 26:12-13; Psalms 68:5). To turn upside down is to defeat the designs of the wicked.

Psalms 146:10. The Lord shall reign for ever The eternity of the reign of God is contrasted with the brevity of man’s (Psalms 146:3-4). It is a perpetual theme for praise, because it carries with it the blessedness of all souls and all worlds.